Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-06-30
DESPERADOES SHOT DOWN
A Kentucky heriff and His Posse Make
a Raid ON the Notorious TOllivers.
They ucceed in Killing Four, Wound
ing Three and Capturing Four.

LOUISVILLE, June 25.-!To Kentucky's
shame the lawless county of Rowan, was
this morning the scene of tragedy that
will beyond doubt prove the final chapter
in the bloodiest mountain Vendetta
known to the history of the state. The
elimination was reacded in the tragic
end of the four des perate men who for.
feited their lives while resisting the man
dates of the law. After the destruction
of thousands of dollars worth of property
and up to this writing the loss of twenty
one lives during the two years continu-
ance of the feud, Rowan county can now
return to peace and prosperity.
special to the Courier Journal from
Lexington, KY, gives the following &C.
count of the fight: News from Rowan
county is of the most exciting kind, as it
appears to be an indisputable fact that
Craig TOlliyer is killed and his gang dis
membered forever. Sheriff Hogg, pre-
sumably acting under instructions from
the state authorities, has been for about
week quietly organizing very large
posse of determined men in the upper
part Of Rowan county and in the adjo1n-
Ing counties for the purpose of arresting
Craig Tolliver and all the party who were
implicated liz
THE MURDER OF THE LOGAN BOYS
some two weeks ago. Tolliver and his
party consisting Of about ten men were
quite vlgllant and went heavily armed to
meet every outward train at the depot
at MOrehead, to search for suspicious
characters and to see that none got off
but those whom they desired Sheriff
Hogg equipped his large party with
Winchester 1ifes and ammunition was
secretly conveyed to his rendezvous whilo
he was organizing his posse. 1t was fin
ally determined to attempt the arrest on
Wednesday. June %, in the day time to
prevent any women, children or inoffen-
slve citizens from being killed by acct
dent. Accordingly at an early hour this
morning the people living along the
railroad within two or three miles
of Morehead on each side of the town
were notified to stop all trains and inform
the conductors of what was going on in
Morehead SO that passengers and train
men would not be placed in danger
Sheriff Boggs and band of resolute
men numbering more than 200 appeared
at Morehead about o'clock this morn
ing. A Gordon was first established
around the entire town, in the brush where
the men could not be seen. The sheriff
then entered the town a6 the head of 100
well armed men. Tolliver and his ten
followers immediately retired to the cot
tage hotel which they had previously
barrieaded in such manner as to form
a formidable fortress. Sheriff Hogg
then notified TOlliver that he had war
rants for the arrest of all the men i'm
plicated in the killing of the Logan boys,
and asked that they all submit peaceably
to arrest under the law. Tolliver's reply
was that neither he nor his men would be
arrested and Inat nunureU men CouIu
not take them. His party then
OPENED FIRE UPON THE sHERIFF's POSSE.
The quick rattle of musketry ensued,
and the fighting was kept up probably
for two hours. The only casualty for the
time being flesh wound received by one
of the sheriff's posse. The attacking
party, however, were gradually
dra wing their lines closer around
Tolliver's Notifications, and the besieged
party finding things growing too warm,
finally concluded to make bold rush for
liberty. and cut their way through the
sheriff's lines to take to the adjacent
brush, which once reached would afford
them secure shelter. But as they made
the rush they were met by tremendous
volley which killed Craig Tolliver,
Bird Tolliver, Jay Tolliver and
Hiram Cooper. The other men of
the gang got through safely, but as they
reached the brush they were met by a
volley from the outside Gordon. This
volley wounded Cate, Tolliver's Ii year old
boy and three others, all of whom were
captured except Cate Tolliver. The
other three also escaped but one was
captured afterwards. This brought the
battle to an end.